Trailer



P. H. RAVEN v Jan. 28, 1941.

TRAILER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 6, 1940 fiorneys Jan. 28, 1941. P. H. RAVEN TRAILER Filed March 6, 1940 2.Skeeter-Smet` 2 Inventor Attorneys atente-:cl Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in trailers and more particularly to trailers of the vertically movable bed type.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a trailer which can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground in a quick and convenient manner.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a trailer having a vertically adjustable bed which can be lowered to a point in close proximity with the ground for conveniently taking on loads.

Still another important object of the invention l is to provide a trailer wherein the parts are of simple construction and of low cost to manu- V facture.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent .to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the trailer.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational View.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the rear portion of the trailer showing the bed in elevated position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the trailer includes a U-shaped horizontally disposed frame 5 made up of the side members a-a and theforward connecting member b.

Numeral 6 denotes the crank including the crank arms 'I and from the ends of which extend the stub axles on which are the ground engaging wheels 0. The crank 6 is disposed through the depending side flanges c of the trailer bed 9.

A shaft I has its ends journaled through the forward ends of the side members a of the U- shaped frame and extending upwardly from the intermediate portion of this shaft I0 is the arm II. From each end portion of the shaft I0 rises an arm I2 and connecting the arms I2 with the arms I3 on the ends of the crankshaft 6 are the connecting rods I4.

A narrow rectangular-shaped frame I5 extends forwardly from the cross bar b of the frame 5 and has mounted therein by straps IB, a compressed air or hydraulic cylinder I1, the same containing a piston therein (not shown) from which the connecting rod I8 extends and conneots by the links I9 to the aforementioned arm II. A line 20 from a suitable hydraulic or compressed air source extends to the cylinder I 'I and has the control valve 2| therein.

As shown in Figure 2, the side members a of the frame 5 have openings 22 therein through which pins 23 can be disposed and engaged into the openings 24 of the crank arms 26 and 1. The crank arms 26 are bridged by the crank bar 21 which extends through the depending flanges c of the bed 9.

It can now be seen that by removing the pins 23, the bed 9 can be lowered .to a point adjacent the ground.

To lift the bed, the cylinder Il is charged, retracting the connecting rod I8. This swings the cranks 6 and 21 upwardly carrying with it the bed 9 and when the openings 22 and 24 are registering, the pins 23 can be driven into place to hold the bed in proper elevated position.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specic terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described claimed as new is:

1. A trailer comprising a frame, a pair of crankshafts carried by the frame, one of the crankshafts having ground engaging wheels on the ends thereof, a trailer bed carried by the crank portions of the shafts, connecting means between the crankshafts, and fluid pressure means for operating the said cranks in unison.

2. A trailer comprising a frame, a pair of crankshafts carried by the frame, one of the crankshafts having ground engaging wheels on the ends thereof, a trailer bed carried by the crank portions of the shafts, connecting means between the crankshafts, and uid pressure means for operating the said cranks in unison, and detent means for holding the bed in elevated position independent of the said fluid pressure means.

3. A trailer comprising a frame including a pair of side members, wheels for the frame, a crankshaft operative between the side members of the frame, a trailer bed supported by the crankshaft and being adapted by motion of the crankshaft to be lowered from a position sub- I stantially on the same plane with the side members of the frame to a position adjacent the ground.

the invention, what is 4. A trailer comprising a frame including a pair of side members, wheels for the frame, a crankshaft operative between the side members of the frame, a trailer bed supported by the crankshaft and being adapted by motion of the crankshaft to be lowered from a position substantially on ythe same plane with ,the side members of the frame to a position adjacent the ground, said Wheels being on the ends of the crankshaft.

5. A trailer comprising a frame including a pair of side members, wheels for the frame, a crankshaft operative between the side members of the frame, a trailer bed supported by the crankshaft and being adapted by motion of the crankshaft to be lowered from a position substantially on the same plane with the side members of the frame to a position adjacent the ground, and a second crankshaft having its intermediate portion disposed in supporting relation with respect to the bed, said crankshafts having levers, means interconnecting the levers, and drive means connected with one of the levers.

6. A Vehicle of the character described coinprising a frame, wheels for the frame, a crankshaft supported by the frame, a vehicle body carried by the crank portion of the crankshaft, said crank portion of the crankshaft being operative between side portions of the frame and being adapted to lower the body from an elevated position immediately adjacent the ground.

PHILLIP H. RAVEN. 

